ACTIVITIES CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

Waking to greet the spectacular ocean sunrise is the best way to become truly immersed in the ruggedly natural paradise of the Hibiscus Coast. 20 kilometres north of Mackay lies the Hibiscus Coast which includes the delightful seaside towns of Seaforth, Halliday Bay, Ball Bay and Cape Hillsborough. This is the perfect place to find a quiet beach or picnic table and enjoy the sounds of nature. Cape Hillsborough National Park is where the rainforest meets the coastal water of the Coral Sea, with a beautiful beach shared with the local wallabies, scenic nature walks and spectacular views. The Cape Hillsborough Nature Resort offers beachside accommodation and facilities. At low tide you can walk from the Cape Hillsborough beach to the Wedge Island Reef via a causeway. Wedge Island is fringed with nearby coral, a popular snorkelling destination. Just remember to return before the tide starts coming in as the causeway will recede underwater. Camp on a remote island in Newry Islands National Park. Launch your boat from the Victor Creek boat ramp. Abandoned resort ruins are located near the camp site on Newry Island.

At Cape Hillsborough National Park, rainforest literally meets the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, providing unique habitats for plants and animals. Rugged, rainforest-clad hills plunge to rocky headlands of rhyolite boulders. Created by volcanic activity, the boulders separate white sandy beaches in this scenic and peaceful park. Watch the sunrise on the beach and meet friendly wallabies as they search for treats that the ocean washed up overnight. This is the perfect opportunity to get beautiful photos of the sunrise over the national park and get up close to these playful creatures. Learn about the history of the park and the Yuibera (Yuwi) Aboriginal people who continue their traditional use of the rich natural resources found here. The 1.2 kilometre Yuibera trail illustrates traditional coastal life. Observe more than 150 species of birds and 25 species of tropical butterflies and along the award-winning Diversity boardwalk, see shell middens from Yuibera feasts. Camping, cabins and motel rooms are available at the nearby tourist park and national park camping at Smalleys Beach